UBCNews - Business - Should I Turn My HVAC Unit Off During A Storm? Top Homeowner Questions Answered

Episode Date: March 12, 2026

Welcome back, everyone! Today we're tackling a question that a lot of homeowners in Alabama face, especially during storm season: should you actually turn off your HVAC unit when a storm rolls in? And more importantly, what can you do ahead of time to protect your system? I've got our HVAC expert here with me today to break it all down. Engle Services City: Sylacauga Address: 40300 U.S. 280 Website: https://engleservicesheatingandair.com/

Welcome back, everyone. Today we're tackling a question that a lot of homeowners in Alabama face, especially during storm season. Should you actually turn off your HVAC unit when a storm rolls in? And more importantly, what can you do ahead of time to protect your system? I've got our HVAC expert here with me today to break it all down. Thanks for having me. You know, this is a question I get all the time. And honestly, the short answer is yes. You should turn off your HVAC unit before or during a storm,

but there's a lot more to the story than just flipping a switch. Right, and I think that's where people get confused. Why exactly should we be turning these units off? What's the actual danger here? So, think about what happens during a storm in Alabama. We're talking tornadoes, thunderstorms, heavy rain, all of that. The biggest threats to your outdoor condenser unit are lightning strikes, power surges, flying debris and flooding, a direct lightning strike or even a surge from fluctuating

power can fry sensitive components in your system. And debris, high winds can turn tree branches or even small items into projectiles that damage the unit. That makes sense, so turning it off is like pulling the plug before the damage happens. Exactly. You want to turn off the power from both your thermostat and your circuit breaker. That double layer of protection can prevent major electrical damage. Plus, if debris gets stuck in the unit while it's running, you could burn out the motor entirely. Okay, so we've established that turning it off during a storm is really important. But what about the prep work? I mean, you can't just wait until the storm is already here, right? Oh, definitely not. There are three big things you should do well before storm season even starts.

First, trim any overhanging tree branches near your outdoor unit. Second, consider installing an HVAC specific surge protector. And I mean one designed specifically for HVAC systems rather than a regular power strip. And third, secure your unit, especially if you're in a flood-prone area. Mm-hmm. Good points. Let's talk about that last one, securing the unit.

What does that actually look like? Well, if you're in an area that gets strong winds, you might want to look into hurricane straps. These anchor your condenser unit to a concrete pad so it doesn't get blown around or even lifted off the ground. And if flooding is a concern, elevating the unit on a platform can save you from serious water damage. You know, most homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage,

so flood insurance is something to seriously consider. I didn't realize that about homeowners insurance, so you could be stuck with a huge repair bill if your unit floods and you're not covered. Right, and flood insurance typically needs to be purchased well in advance. It's not something you can get last minute. I actually had a neighbor who learned this the hard way after a bad storm last spring. Their unit was completely submerged, and they had to replace the whole thing out of pocket.

$12,000 gone, just like that. Wow. Okay, so planning ahead is everything. Now, what about during the storm itself? Are there any steps people should take besides turning off the unit? Yes, pre-cooling your home is a great strategy. Before the storm hits, set your thermostat a few degrees cooler than usual, close your curtains and blinds, and keep doors and windows shut. That way, if the power goes out, your home will stay comfortable for longer.

Think of it like charging your phone before a road trip. Ha! I like that analogy. That point about pre-cooling sets up our next piece. What happens after the storm? But first, a quick word from our sponsor. When storm season hits central Alabama, you need a team you can count on. Engel Services provides expert heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing services across Birmingham and beyond. Their technicians offer prompt emergency response, in-home assessments, and repairs that meet industry standards.

Whether it's routine upkeep or urgent storm-related fixes, they're here to help you maintain optimal home comfort. Learn more at Ingallservicesheating and air.com. Picking up on pre-cooling, what should homeowners do once the storm has passed and the powers back on? This is really important. Do not just flip the power back on immediately. First, inspect your unit for visible damage. Look for dense, debris stuck inside, or any signs of flooding. If everything looks okay, wait at least five minutes after power is restored before turning the system back on.

This helps prevent damage from power variations when it restarts. And if you do see damage, I'm guessing that's when you call in a professional. Absolutely. If your unit was flooded, don't even think about turning it on. Water damage can cause refrigerant leaks, electrical issues, all sorts of problems that aren't obvious from the outside. A qualified technician needs to do a full inspection. Appearances can be deceiving. What looks fine on the surface might have serious internal damage.

I see. Makes sense. And here's the other piece, people forget. Preventative maintenance. Getting your system checked and cleaned before storm season can maximize performance and catch small issues before they become expensive repairs. Or to put it another way, regular inspections help you avoid big problems down the road. Alabama's hot, humid summers and unpredictable weather put a lot of wear and tear on HVAC systems. I mean, it's like changing the oil in your car, right?

Small jobs that save you money in the long run. So to everyone listening in storm-prone areas, have you thought about how you'd protect your HVAC system if a storm hit tomorrow? Yeah, exactly. Trimming branches, installing a surge protector, scheduling annual maintenance. These aren't huge expenses, but they can prevent thousands of dollars in repair or replacement costs down the road. And let's be real, uh, dealing with a broken HVAC unit in the middle of an Alabama summer is nobody's idea of fun. No kidding. Plus, storms can cause long-term wear and tear that reduces energy efficiency and shortens your system's lifespan. So even if your unit survives one storm, repeated exposure without proper protection takes a toll.

One more thing before we wrap up. What about generators? Are they worth the investment for keeping your HVAC running during an outage? They can bring real comfort and peace of mind, especially if you have family members who need climate control for health reasons. Whether it's a portable generator or a whole house system, just make sure you buy one before storm season. Price is skyrocket when demand goes up and you don't want to be stuck paying double. Right. So the takeaway here is simple. Preparation saves money. Turning off your unit during storms prevents damage and professional help after a storm is necessary. Thanks so much for breaking this down with us today. My pleasure. Stay safe out there, everyone.